Are you ready to be a vessel?

Definition of a vessel: (n.) Figuratively: A person regarded as receiving or containing something; esp. (Script.), one into whom something is conceived as poured, or in whom something is stored for use; as, vessels of wrath or mercy. Noah Webster's New International Dictionary of the English Language 

Background Text: Matthew 9:9-13 (New International Version)

 9As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector's booth. "Follow me," he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him. 10While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew's house, many tax collectors and "sinners" came and ate with him and his disciples. 11When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?" 12On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.'[a] For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

Introduction

Matthew one on the twelve apostles was a person who was much despised and looked down upon by his fellow countrymen because of the nature of his occupation. He was a tax collector for the Roman government who at the time were very oppressive to the Israelites. Before his call to the apostolic office, he was known as Levi the tax collector. Due to his occupation he was familiar to many people in the areas of Capernaum.  His occupation which also involved pointing out of the tax defaulters made him to be more of an eyesore to his countrymen.

Those who were unable to pay taxes were sent to forced labor or work as slave until all the taxes were fully paid. Here he was a roman vessel of wrath! Undoubtedly he also used to steal from many people by deceit means and thereby enriching himself at others expense. 

However when Jesus Christ saw him, He saw a very different person! He saw a vessel of mercy! He saw a person who is crucial to saving of many souls! Someone who will stand to defend the gospel of truth to the extent of risking even his life! Many had earmarked Levi as a fraudster; a dishonesty fellow; a liar; an unworthy fellow; you name it! But our Lord Jesus Christ saw the “GIFT OF YAHWEH”! He saw someone who was available and ready to be used.

When Jesus motioned to Levi the tax collector to “FOLLOW HIM”, Levi did not hesitate for a moment. He even was not bothered to whom to handover or give a report of the collection of the day, nor was he bothered to tender in a letter of resignation but hearkened to the voice of the Lord, “he got up and followed Jesus”! Levi was ready and available to take up his position in the army of the Lord.

A learning point for us:

1.      Willing hearts

Our Lord Jesus Christ is looking for those willing hearts which are available and ready to be used as vessels of mercy. He is asking us today these very questions which He asked Isaiah in a vision more than 2000 years ago…….. “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!" 9 He said, "Go and tell this people: " 'Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.' Isaiah 6:8-9 (NIV). 

Are we ready to hearken to the voice of the Lord when He calls us to follow Him?

2.      Standards of men

We look at the outward appearance which is always deceiving. Christ is not looking at our wisdom, influence or background. He came to all mankind so that we may receive eternal life. When Jesus saw Levi the tax collector, He saw a great potential which was lying idle in him and knew that this man (Levi) was very essential in enhancing of God’s Kingdom. The Pharisees’ ignorance blinded them of the purpose which Messiah had come to fulfill. They were blinded by their own attitude, for they were not willing to receive Christ and let Him use them.

 26Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29so that no one may boast before him. 30It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 1 Corinthians 1:26-30 (NIV).

3.      Harvest is ready

The Lord’s harvest is ready there are many souls which are empty; bleeding; harassed; dispirited; helpless and lost for they are without a shepherd. These souls yearn to find rest, compassion and salvation.

4.      Workers are few

Our Lord is seeking for men and women who are ready to be used as vessels of mercy to reach out to these souls which are lost. To feed these souls which are empty with the great gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ! To reach out to them and show them the great compassion which only Christ can give.

 36When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." Matthew 9:36-38 (NIV)

Are we ready to be used as Christ’s vessels to reach out to all the nations of the world? Are we really available for the purpose which our Lord Jesus Christ has bestowed upon us? Are we settings standards or have become a stumbling block to those whom Christ wants to use?

For Prayer

Lord we ask you to put your Spirit in us so that we can be able to realize the potential in us and also others. Forgive us for our judgemental attitude; we ask you to remove all kinds of obstacles in our lives which may hinder us from serving you. We are ready to be used as your vessels.

YOU’RE NOT WHAT THEY SAY YOU’RE!

You might be or have been that drunkard or addicted fellow who does not have any future, nor direction or that woman who had procured many abortions, or that timid good for nothing fellow as many would view you. That abusive husband or wife...........and so on and on………………….

Our Lord Jesus Christ sees you differently

We see our shortcomings as the main reason for being where we are, staggering in life, having not achieved what we wanted in all areas of our lives. Or even still in that abusive marriage or family because of what your parent(s) were..........……..…..

Our Lord Jesus Christ sees these shortcomings differently than we human beings. He sees them as that vessel; that avenue; that engine which can be used to propagate the great gospel of TRUTH, to reach out to many who are facing the same situation as you.

Many a times we have given up on things. We have viewed ourselves as a looser. We've even underrated our capabilities in facing various situations in our lives. How many times have you thought that “this is too great or much for me”?

It is at this peak where Gideon and the Israelites had reached. A time when for seven years they were in the hands of the Midianites, who were so oppressive.

Whenever they planted their crops, the Midianites, Amalekites and other eastern peoples invaded their country. They camped on the land and ruined the crops all the way to Gaza and did not spare a living thing for Israel, neither sheep nor cattle nor donkeys. It was impossible to count the men and their camels; they invaded the land to ravage it.

The Israelites had no choice but to give up their land and make shelters in mountain clefts, caves and strongholds! They were hiding away from their adversaries! They only came out at night or when their enemies were not around.

Imagine living in caves, mountain clefts and stronghold fearing for your life. You do not know when the enemy will strike again! You look like that small, timid boy who was always bullied at school. Whenever he wanted to go out he had to ensure first that the coast was clear.

I may neither have a clue nor understand what kind of mountain clefts, caves and strongholds you are hiding in. One thing which is sure is that, you are of God, and have overcome your challenges, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world!

Living in this hopeless, fearful and helpless situation whereby they had to hide literally everything from their enemies, then an Angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon, and said to him, “The LORD is with you, you mighty man of valor!”. 

Definitely you may call that really sentimental and some degree of insanity. That is exactly what was running in Gideon’s mind, blaming and asking God “the usual rhetoric questions”........ “if the LORD is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all His miracles which our fathers told us about, saying, ‘Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt?’ But now the LORD has forsaken us and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.”

We need to realize that the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God!

Not many of us were wise by human standards; neither influential; nor of noble birth. God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise! HE chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong! HE chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before HIM!

 My Brother or Sister never underestimate yourself and the power of GOD in you! 

The LORD answered, "I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites together."


Stay blessed in the awesome presence of our LORD JESUS CHRIST!


Bro. Godfrey Nengo

References:

• Great inspiration of the HOLY SPIRIT, who is my great FRIEND and COMPANION
• Extracts from bible (NKJV; NIV): Judges 6; 1 John 4:4-5; 1 Corinthians 1:26-30

Romans 1:16 (New International Version) I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes……..

POWER in the LIGHT: Is your challenge a setback or an opportunity?

POWER in the LIGHT: Is your challenge a setback or an opportunity?: " Background text: Philippians 1: 12-14; 20-24 (New International Version) 12 Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to ..."

POWER in the LIGHT: THE ART OF WORSHIP!

POWER in the LIGHT: THE ART OF WORSHIP!: "We were created purposely to revere, serve and worship our heavenly father the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY . That is what is going to be when we get..."

THE ART OF WORSHIP!

We were created purposely to revere, serve and worship our heavenly father the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY. That is what is going to be when we get to heaven to be with our LORD. However till then we need to create the heavenly realm atmosphere here on earth through our worship to our LORD GOD ALMIGHTY.

This needs to begin in our lives by giving the Holy Spirit a chance to help and teach us this great art of reverence and worship in the presence of our LORD GOD ALMIGHTY. For God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in SPIRIT and TRUTH.” We “must” worship.....this is an implied obligation for all of us. It’s not by choice nor chance! It is our necessity to worship our LORD GOD ALMIGHTY according to the way HE wants it and that is......in SPIRIT and TRUTH....

Likewise the SPIRIT also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the SPIRIT Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now HE who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the SPIRIT is, because HE makes intercession for the saints according to the will of GOD.

The HOLY SPIRIT is the only teacher and helper we have. He instructs us in the matters of true worship, how to approach the HEAVENLY THRONE and thus be at the heart beat of JESUS CHRIST, which is the inner core of worship.

“If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the SPIRIT of TRUTH, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you......

In the Old Testament anyone who approached the Holy of Holies to offer unauthorized fire before the LORD, contrary to HIS command, was consumed by the fire which came out from the presence of the LORD and died on the spot. That’s what happened to Aaron's sons Nadab and Abihu…

The HOLY SPIRIT knows well the will of GOD, and thereby HE always undertakes to make the rightful intercession according to how our heavenly father commands.

Jesus said to him, “I am the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE. No one comes to the Father except through Me”.....

It is only by our LORD JESUS CHRIST we get to have access to be in the everlasting presence of our heavenly father the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY. He did all what was supposed of HIM by giving HIS own life upon the cross as the sacrificial lamb. He tore the curtain that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. Through our LORD JESUS CHRIST we can now have access to the MOST HOLY PLACE!

Therefore, brethrens, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching...

Stay blessed with the Great worship in the MOST HOLY OF HOLY!

Bro. Godfrey Nengo

• Great inspiration of the HOLY SPIRIT, who is my great FRIEND and COMPANION
• Extracts from bible (NKJV; NIV): John 4:24; Romans 8:26-27; John 14:15-17; Leviticus 10:1-2; John 14:6; Exodus 26:33; Hebrews 10:19-25.

POWER in the LIGHT: POWER in the LIGHT: BEING DESPISED AND REJECTED?

POWER in the LIGHT: POWER in the LIGHT: BEING DESPISED AND REJECTED?: "POWER in the LIGHT: BEING DESPISED AND REJECTED? : 'In this day and age many people have suffered and faced all manners of trials and opposi..."

Is your challenge a setback or an opportunity?

 Background text: Philippians 1: 12-14; 20-24 (New International Version)

12Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. 13As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard[a] and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.14Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly………..20I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far;24but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.

Key verse: 21For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 

Introduction

The Philippian church was the first church established by Paul and his companions on the European continent during his second missionary journey. At the time of his writing, Paul was in a roman prison. Paul was writing this letter to encourage the believers in this church.

And being in prison because of the gospel, Paul knew that many believers might get discouraged and give up on the work which our Lord Jesus Christ had started in their lives. Many thought that by limiting Paul from witnessing about Christ would eventually end his ministry. This is utterly one of the lies of the devil.

The more Paul stayed in prison the more he had the opportunity to preach to the palace guards and everyone else around there and this therefore advanced the gospel of Christ. This resulted to preaching and witnessing of the word of God more courageously and fearlessly by many believers! Paul did not look at the chains as a set back of the ministry he was called unto. He turned the setback into an opportunity! He turned the prison into a crusade meeting to witness on the resurrection of our lord Jesus Christ!!

Paul demonstrated various things which are important to us:

1.      Faith

Our faith in our Lord Jesus Christ should never be waivered by the circumstances or challenges which we are facing in our lives and also ministries which we are serving. This is the time when the real faith which we have in Christ Jesus should be demonstrated and let our adversaries understand that the one who is in us is far greater than the one in the world. For when Christ died, He conquered death and thus made us to be more than conquerors. Therefore we should never loose our faith in Christ Jesus but let it be perfected in Him.

2.      Attitude

Paul had a positive attitude and never considered his chains as a setback to the ministry but rather saw it as a challenge! This was also evident to all the rest of the apostles. Whether they had the freedom or faced death, they continued to preach the gospel of Christ boldly and fearlessly. Trials and Persecutions were not a setback to them but rather provided an opportunity for the gospel to be proclaimed even beyond their borders.

We should always view the challenges positively and thereby look for an opportunity for our Lord Jesus Christ to be exalted in it! I love the story about the three young men – Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. They were faced with a"seven times heated furnace glowing red hot", however they stood firm on their faith and defended the word of the living God!

They replied king Nebuchadnezzar “If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”Daniel 3:16-18 (NIV).

3.      Boldness

The prison did not cower Paul but made him to be bolder and fearless in witnessing and speaking the gospel of Christ Jesus! Though Paul and Silas were stripped, bitten, severely flogged and thrown into prison, they never seized to pray and sing hymns to God! In that prison the jailer and later his whole family received Christ!  Acts 16:22-34.

Paul was even bolder to even face death. For he knew that death meant that he was joining Christ in eternity and that he was going to receive a greater prize for the task which he had accomplished.

4.      Ashamed

When confronted with persecutions and trials we as believers should always be ready to testify of our Lord Jesus Christ. We need to constantly ask the Holy Spirit of God to give us wisdom and courage to spread the gospel whether we have the liberty or when confronted with death. We should never allow our lifestyles and our self esteem to be a hindrance to the greater calling in our lives.

Christ Jesus says “If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels." Mark 8:38 (NIV).

Paul was never ashamed of Jesus Christ even when he was in chains! He encouraged and urged Timothy (his spiritual son) not to be ashamed of testifying about our Lord Jesus Christ or be ashamed of him (Paul) a prisoner in chains. Paul wanted Timothy to present himself to God as one approved and a workman! 2 Timothy 1:8; 2 Timothy 2:15 (NIV).

Conclusion

Therefore whether in liberty or when faced with death let Christ be Christ in our lives and let us continue to live for Him!

For Prayers

We need to ask the Holy Spirit to change our attitude and make us to be positive minded no matter the situation which we are faced with! Also ask for the guidance of the Holy Spirit to give us boldness to preach the gospel whether in good or bad times. We need also to remember other saints around the world who are encountering difficulties and ask God to strengthen their faith in Christ Jesus so that they will continue to preach and spread the great gospel.